Silent door latch



Jan. 3, 1939. TRWGALE 2,142,425

SILENT DOOR LATCH Filed Jan. 51, 1958 37 m 1 m E z Patented Jan. '3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SILENT noon LATCH Tom Trlnnle, Los Anseles, Calif. Application January :1, 193a, semi No. 1am

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in door latches.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved door latch such as may be employed on automobile doors and the like, which is so designed and constructed as to reduce the noise created by the engagement of the latch with its strike on closing the door.

The conventional door latch now usually employed on automobile doors is a solid metal latch engageable with a solid metal strike. n closing the door when these metal parts come in contact, considerable noise is created and in addition thereto, the sound vibrations created by the engagement are transmitted to other adjacent metallic parts which are eiiective to amplify these sounds. By means of the present construction the transmittal of sound vibrations through the latch to amplifying parts of the door is eiiectlvely prevented so that amplification of the sound vibrations created by the latch engaging its strike is effectively prevented. Furthermore, as the size of the part of the latch which engages the strike is relatively small, the amount of noise created by the engagement of the parts is materially reduced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door latch which is of relatively silent operation and which may be easily and cheaply constructed and assembled and also to provide a door latch which is highly durable in that the parts thereof will not easily become worn or broken or require frequent replacement. Even such parts as are subject to considerable wear may be easily and quickly replaced.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawing for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a door latch embodying the invention, illustrating the door latch as engaging its strike;

' Fig. 2 is a partial view in side elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 2 upon Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially upon the line 3-! upon Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially upon the line 4-4 upon Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating a slightly modified form of construction; and

Fig. 6 is a partial view in side elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 6 upon Fig. 5.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the improved door latch consists of a generally latch-shaped body III which may be advanced and retracted by any suitable mechanism, not shown. Generally, however, 5 some suitable spring means is employed to urge the latch forwardly or toward its strike. The forward end of the body III is rounded to conform to the shape of conventional latches and is bifurcated, the bifurcation being indicated at H 10 and the rear end of the bifurcation is widened at the top and bottom as indicated at l2. The widened portion of the bifurcation is arranged at an angle as shown in Fig. 3 to the longitudinal axis of the latch and to the direction of its movement. Within the bifurcation there is disposed a strikeengaging part it which closely fits the bifurcation except at the back of said part and also where the strike-engaging part is relieved at the top and bottom as indicated at It. This strike-engaging part carries top and bottom fins 15 fitting within the widened portion of the bifurcation so that, in eifect, the strike-engaging part is dovetailed within the latch body in.

Between the back of the strike-engaging part i3 and the back of the bifurcation ii there is disposed a resilient member I6 which is formed of rubber or similar yieldable material. This resilient member has a protuberance ll fitting in a recess l8 formed in the back of the strikeso engaging member l3. Suitable holes I8 and 22 are formed through the bifurcated end of the latch body ill, and through the strike-engaging part it. Their lower ends are reduced in size as indicated at l9a and 20a, respectively, forming shoulders near the bottom as indicated at "b and 201), respectively. These holes are designed to receive rubber retainers 2|. In the bottom of each hole there is positioned a suitable washer or disc 22 which rests on the shoulder and the rubber retainers are positioned thereon. Similar washers or discs 23 are positioned on top of the rubber retainers and are held in position by means of closure screws 24. The sides of the rubber retainers are recessed as indicated at 25 to receive small spaced metal bars 26 extending from below the bifurcation to above the bifurcation. These bars constitute spaced metal reinforcements extending longitudinally on the exterior of the rubber retainers.

The closure screws 24 constitute a means by which any desired degree of pressure may be applied longitudinally to the rubber retainers. Thus, if it is desired to increase the eiiective resistance of these retainers, the closure screws 86 24 may be screwed farther down into the holes II and fl. Likewise, on unscrewing the closure screws'the effective resistance of the rubber retainers is decreased. Whenever occasion requires additional discs 23 may be positioned between the screws and the rubber retainers.

As clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the strikeengaging member I: has its forward edge 21 projecting forwardly beyond the forward edge of the latch body II. It also projects laterally beyond the side of the latch body. Its width, as shown in Fig. 3, is preferably substantially equal to the width of the latch body.

The operation and advantages of the improved construction are as follows: In closing a door on which the latch is mounted the strike-engaging member "engages the strike S. As the size of the strike-engaging member I3 is relatively small, the noise created by the engagement of these two parts is likewise relatively small. Dur-, ing the closing movement, the latch is forced rearwardly and at the same time, the strikeengaging member I! may be forced rearwardly slightly within the bifurcation. movement the rubber retainers 2| are placed in shear and yield to some extent. The resilient member II also yields. The rubber retainers and the resilient member effectively prevent sound vibrations from being transmitted from the strikeengaging member If to the latch body it and from being transmitted thereby to other sound amplifying parts. In this manner sound vibrations are prevented from being transmitted and are, in effect, isolated in the strike-engaging member II. This results in a relatively silent door latch construction when the door is closed.

When the latch passes over the shoulder on the strike and is snapped forwardly against the step, the nose of the latch-engaging member II on engaging the step functions in a similar manner. The projecting edge 28 on the strikeengaging part ll when it is engaged by the shoulder on the strike serves to gently ease the latch body ll against the shoulder. These functions are accomplished by the fact that the rubber retainers and the resilient member will permit slightmovement of the strike-engaging member in any necessary direction. At the same time, however, the strike-engaging member is relatively stifliy held within the latch body. The fins I! serve to prevent the strike-engaging member'from being shifted from the bifurcation whenever this member is subjected to abnormal stresses.

In assembling the construction, the resilient member I6 is positioned against the back of the strike-engaging part I3 and the assembled parts are caused to slide laterally into the forward end of the latch body I Ii. When the holes in the latch body and in the strike-engaging part I! are aligned, the-rubber retainers 2| and their reinforcements 26 may be dropped into the holes and locked into position by means of the screws 24. Should it become necessary to replace either or both of the rubber retainers, on removal of the screws 24 the rubber retainers may be pushed out by inserting a tool through the apertures I la and 20a, respectively.

In Figs. 5 and 6, there is illustrated a modified form of construction wherein there is a latch body 3| which is bifurcated as at 3|, see Fig. 6. Within the bifurcation there is disposed a strike engaging member 32 which is held therein by means of similar rubber retainers which are locked in place by means of closure screws 33.

During such r Strike-engaging member 32 is preferably relieved at top and bottom as indicated at 34. It is engageable with strike 35. In this form of construction substantially the same advantages are present as those above described as the latchengaging member is largely isolated against the transmission of sound vibrations to the latch body 30 and from the latch body II to amplifying p Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I ciaim:

' l. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, and a strike-engaging part disposed within the bifurcation and one or more rubber retainers extending through the bifurcation and strike-engaging part for retaining the strikeengaging part in the bifurcation.

2. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, and a strike-engaging part disposed within the bifurcation and one or more rubber retainers extending through the bifurcation and strike-engaging part for retaining the strike-engaging part in the bifurcation, said strike-engaging part projecting beyond the strike-engaging end of the latch body.

3. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, and a strike-engaging part disposed within the bifurcation and one or more rubber retainers extending through the bifurcation and strikeengaging part for retaining the strike-engaging part in the bifurcation, said retainers having spaced metal reinforcements thereon.

4. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, a strike-engaging part disposed within the bifurcation, and a rubber member interposed between said part and the back of the bifurcation.

5. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, a strike-engaging part disposed within the bifurcation, a rubber member interposed between said part and the back of the bifurcation, and means for retaining said part in the bifurcation.

6. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, a strike-engaging part disposed within the bifurcation, a rubber member interposed between said part and the back of the bifurcation, and means for retaining said part in the bifurcation, comprising rubber retainers extending through the bifurcation and strike-engaging part.

'7. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, a strike-engaging part disposed within the bifurcation, and a rubber member interposed between said part and the back of the bifurcation, said rubber member carrying a portion recessed in the back of said strike-engaging part.

8. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, the back of the bifurcation being wider than the forward part of the bifurcation, a strikeengaging part disposed in the bifurcation and having portions extending into the wider back part of the bifurcation, and a rubber member interposed between the back of the strike-engaging part and the back of the bifurcation.

9. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, the back of the bifurcation being wider than the forward part of the bifurcation, a strike-engaging part disposed in the bifurcation and having portions extending into the wider back part of the bifurcation, and a rubber member interposed between the back of the strike-engaging part and the back of the bifurcation, said rubber member having a portion recessed in the back of the strike-engaging part.

10. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, the back of the bifurcation being wider than the forward part of the bifurcation, a strike-engaging part disposed in the bifurcation and having portions extending into the wider back part of the bifurcation, and one or more retainers extending through the bifurcation and the strikeengaging part.

11. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, the back of the bifurcation being wider than the forward part of the bifurcation, a strike-engaging part disposed in the bifurcation and having portions extending into the wider back part of the bifurcation, and one or more retainers extending through the bifurcation and the strikeengaging part, said retainers being formed of rubber-like material. v

12. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, the back of the bifurcation being wider than the forward part of the bifurcation, a strike-engaging part disposed in the bifurcation and having portions extending into the wider back part of the bifurcation, and one or more retainers extending through the bifurcation and the strikeengaging part, said retainers being formed of rubber-like material and having spaced metallic reinforcements.

13. A door latch comprising a bifurcated latch body, the back of the bifurcation being wider than the forward part of the bifurcation, a strikeengaging part disposed in the bifurcation and having portions extending into the wider back part of the bifurcation, and a rubber member interposed between the back of the strike-engaging part and the back of the bifurcation, the wider portion of the bifurcation being arranged to extend at an angle to the direction of movement of the latch body.

14. A door latch comprising a latch body, a strike-engaging part mounted upon the latch body so as to be engageable with a strike, and one or more rubber retainers extending through the latch body and the strike-engaging part for yieldably holding the strike-engaging part in strike-engag ing position.

TOM TRINGALE. 

